Programmable portable infusion pump system

ABSTRACT

A portable and programmable infusion pump system is disclosed for injecting one or more medicinal substances into an individual under the control of the individual. A common controller unit and microprocessor is provided for one or more pump units. Each pump unit includes a chamber for holding a medicinal substance, an infusion tube that is connected to the chamber and is adapted to be connected to the individual, and a motor driven pump for pumping the medicinal substance through the infusion tube. The individual programs the microprocessor to perform one or more infusion processes by use of a keyboard, a card reader, a bar code reader, or a modem. Each motor and pump are controlled in accordance with its program parameters as contained in the programmed microprocessor. A pressure sensor and an air bubble detector is associated with each infusion tube, and these sensors and detectors are connected to the microprocessor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a programmable portable infusion pumpsystem for automatically injecting a medicinal substance into a patient,of the type comprising a supply chamber containing the medicinalsubstance, a pump unit comprising a motor and a pump driven by the motorto inject the medicinal substance into an infusion tube connected to thepatient's body, and a programmable controller enabling the motor atinstants programmed in advance.

2. Description of Prior Art

It has become more and more common to treat certain diseases by regularintravenous, intra-arterial or intra-rachidian injecting of a medicinalsubstance. In order to leave the patient with some autonomy and notforce him to spend too frequent of stays in hospitals and get theinfusions performed on him, portable systems have been realized.

An infusion tube is then available connected to the patient's body so asto perform the infusion when necessary. When the infusion is to beperformed, a portable infusion pump system that the patient carries isconnected to the infusion needle. Infusion is performed by a pump drivenby a motor, the latter pump injecting the medicinal substance comingfrom a supply chamber into the patient's body thru the infusion tube.The motor, the pump and the supply chamber are integrated in theportable infusion pump system.

Programmable portable infusion pump systems have been realized. In suchsystems, a controller integrated in the system allows to program thetherapeutic protocol i.e. the metering of the infusion to be performed,its duration, and the time when it needs be started. Current systems ofthis type comprise to this effect a controller which is indeed a simpleprogramming means in that it allows programming of the therapeuticprotocol relative to the instant when the system is turned on, but doesnot allow a programming according to solar time. Besides, programming isusually done thru multifunction keys, which results in limiting theprogramming possibilities in case there are few keys, or increasespossibilities of mistakes in case there are too many functions.

In the majority of current systems, only the supply chamber containingthe medicinal substance, also called `cassette`, is removable from thewhole system, so as to allow its replacement when it is empty. On thecontrary, the pump unit and the controller are made one element, whichis a major drawback of the current programmable infusion pump systems.

There also exists programmable portable systems such as the insulininfusion system described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,532 in which a unitcontaining the motor, the pump and the insulin supply chamber isremovable from the controller. But this system features two maindrawbacks. Indeed it is more and more common to inject several medicinalsubstances simultaneously to improve the efficiency of a therapeutictreatment. In this case, the patient needs then to get a second portableinfusion pump system to allow two simultaneous infusions but stillkeeping his autonomy without being confined in hospitals. The cost oftwo portable infusion pump systems becomes then prohibitive, not tomention the difficulty for the patient to carry two infusion pumpsystems which, even though not heavy, are cumbersome. The seconddrawback of this system is that the controller becomes autonomous onlyafter having been programmed by an external programming means connectedto the controller. This programming therefore requires the patient to goto the hospital where the programming means may be found each time aninfusion is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The goal of the present invention is therefore to allow two or moresimultaneous and ambulatory infusions using a simple, not cumbersome andlowcost system.

Another goal of the invention is to provide a programmable portableinfusion pump system requiring only one controller to allow severalsimultaneous infusions.

Still another goal of the invention is to provide a programmableportable infusion pump system in which the programming is performeddirectly with the patient thanks to a controller programmable withoutany external programming means.

The object of the invention is then a programmable portable infusionpump system in which the controller includes a microprocessor, akeyboard and a screen, the microprocessor being directly programmed thruthe keyboard to command the motor according to a predetermined infusionprogram and providing information regarding the infusion process thrudisplaying on the screen.

Another object of the invention is a programmable portable infusion pumpsystem of the type recited above also comprising at least a secondsystem including a pump-unit and a supply chamber, connected to thecontroller, the second system being detachable from the controller butwith the second pump-unit still being controlled by it, so that thecontroller can control several simultaneous infusions.

In summary, the programmable pump system according to the invention ischaracterized by a high modularity and complete autonomy allowing thepatient equipped with it to not depend on hospitals or not be encumberedin his everyday life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Goals, objects and characteristics of the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description read in conjunction with theschematics in which:

FIG. 1 represents one embodiment of the programmable portable infusionpump system according to the invention,

FIG. 2 represents the portable infusion pump system of FIG. 1 with thepump-unit detached from the controller,

FIG. 3 represents an embodiment of the invention comprising only onecontroller used for controlling an attached pump-unit and a detachedpump-unit,

FIG. 4 represents an embodiment of the device assembling the cassettewith the pump-unit,

FIG. 4a is a side view of the clip used as an assembling device of thecassette with the pump-unit as illustrated in FIG. 4,

FIG. 4b represents the assembling device of FIG. 4a when in the openposition,

FIG. 5 is a synoptic diagram representing the different elements of theprogrammable system according to the invention and theirinterconnections,

FIG. 6 is an algorithm showing the process steps to configuring theprogrammable system according to the invention,

FIG. 7 is an algorithm showing the process steps to programming theprogrammable system according to the invention,

FIG. 8 is an algorithm showing the process steps to starting up theprogrammable system according to the invention,

FIG. 9 is an algorithm showing the simultaneous functioning of the twopump-units incorporated into the programmable infusion system accordingto the preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIGS. 10a-10d represent the controller of the programmable systemaccording to the invention at the different steps in the programmingprocess.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the programmable portable infusion pump systemin a preferred embodiment comprises a controller 10, a pump-unit 12 anda supply chamber 14, all in a single, compact piece, which can be easilycarried by the patient. The controller comprises a keyboard 16 designedfor inputting commands and in particular the parameters which allow todefine the therapeutic protocol, and a screen 18, preferably a LiquidCrystal Display to allow displaying certain parameters or controlresults of the infusion. This controller can be implemented with anadvanced microprocessor specifically adapted to provide adequateInput/Outputs. The controller also features two pins 20 used for remotecontrol of the detached pump-unit and supply chamber together. Thecontroller has batteries for powering the whole system, a processingunit, a Read Only Memory and READ/WRITE memory.

The pump-unit 12 comprises elements identical to those of the prior artsystems, i.e. an electrical motor commanded by the controller, a pump ofthe peristaltic type or any other equivalent type, an electronic circuitconnected to the controller, and the portion of an infusion tube fromthe supply chamber 14 which under the activation of the pump injects themedicinal substance into the patient's body. Finally, the pump-unitcomprises a pin 22 aimed at being connected to the controller when thepump-unit is detached from the controller 10.

The supply chamber 14 is generally constituted by a throw-away cassettecomprising a flexible bag made of polymer containing the medicinalsubstance enclosed in a rigid casing. FIG. 2 represents the pump-unittogether with the cassette detached from the controller. A group of 4pins 30 allows the pump-unit 12 to be connected and attached to thecontroller. But pins 30, on top of their mechanical function, alsoensure the electrical connection between the controller and thepump-unit when the latter is not detached. It will be obvious that thefunction of pins 30 could be only an electrical connection, themechanical attaching being then realized thru well-known means. When thepump-unit is detached, either the pins are protected by a cover, ortheir design is such that they can be retracted within the pump-unit bypushing them therein after a quarter round rotation.

Although on FIGS. 1 and 2, only one pump-unit (and the associatedcassette) is represented, it is possible to have another pump-unit (andthe associated cassette) attached to the other side of the controller.It is one of the advantages of the invention that the controller cansimultaneously command two pump-units when two infusions of differentmedicinal substances are to be performed simultaneously. Thus, thesecond pump-unit would be attached to the left side of the controller bya group of pins identical to the pins 30 illustrated in FIG. 2.

The commanding by the controller of two simultaneous infusions can beachieved in a different fashion, as will be seen with respect to FIG. 3.As illustrated, the pump-unit 12 and the associated supply chamber 14have been detached from the controller 10. However, there is anelectrical connection 40 between the controller 10 and the pump-unit 12respectively thru pins 20 and 22, that allows the pump-unit to remainunder the command of the controller and yet be carried at differentpoints on the patient's body. At the same time the controller 10 keepscommanding an infusion performed with the pump-unit 12, the samecontroller 10 keeps commanding a second pump-unit 42 and the associatedsupply chamber 44 which are attached directly to the controller 10.

One can then see that, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, thecontroller can also command four simultaneous infusions, by using twopump-units directly attached to the controller, and two other pump-unitsremotely connected thru pins 20 of the controller. It will be obviousthat the number of pump-units being under the command of the controllerhas no limit but the one limit set by the capability of performingsimultaneous infusions.

The removable link between the pump-unit and the supply chamber can berealized in an embodiment illustrated on FIGS. 4 and 4a using an elasticclipping mechanism. On FIG. 4 it can be seen that the supply chamberfeatures a horizontal part having a clip 50 which allows to lock thesupply chamber or cassette on the pump-unit. FIG. 4a illustrates thelocking clip 50 following section A, when in the closed and openpositions, and shows how two square parts 52 on the pump-unit cooperatewith two shoulders on clip 50 of the supply chamber to interlock. Thisparticular locking system can as is well-known be replaced by any otherlocking system without it being out of the scope of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a synoptic diagram representing the different elements of asystem comprising two pump-units and their interconnections.

The overall representation comprises a microprocessor or microcontrollerwhich makes up the controller processing unit connected to all of theelements and in particular to the two pump-units 62 and 64. Themicroprocessor has its own power source 66 (comprising batteries) whichis connected thru a voltage monitoring circuit 68. The monitoringcircuit 68 features a watchdog so as to interrupt microprocessor 60 incase of failure of the power source 66. Programming of the controller isperformed mainly thru keyboard 16, but can also be performed thru otherknown means. Thus programming can be performed thru bar code reading andan optical pen that a doctor or nurse can use to input the commandprocess of a particular infusion. Or, it is equally possible to performprogramming of the controller thanks to an electronic card that oneneeds to introduce in the controller or a peripheral connected to it, toimmediately input the desired command process. The preferred embodimentcomprises a reading system of bar code 70 as represented on FIG. 5.

The controller can also be connected to a personal computer via anRS-232 type connection 72. Such a connection will also allow to programthe controller using the computer instead of the keyboard, and also tostore data from the controller memory for statistics purpose. The sameconnection can be used too with a modem. In that case it will be easyfor the patient to connect his controller to the telephone network sothat a doctor also equipped with a modem can remotely monitor the goodperformance of the therapeutic treatment, or even proceeds with theprogramming of the controller by instructions transmitted thru thetelephone line.

Finally, the controller could also be equipped with a radio receiver andremotely be programmed with an associated emitter, in which case a codeis necessary for such a programming to take place.

Displaying of the data collected in the course of the infusion, or inputby the doctor programming thru keyboard 16 or code bar reader 70 isperformed at the screen 18 which is preferably a liquid crystal displayof 4 lines of 16 characters.

The controller features a Random Access Memory (RAM) 74 of 512kilo-bytes capacity for storing data input at the keyboard and dataabout the ongoing infusion, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 76 where resideinstructions of the program commanding operations of the system, also ofa capacity of 512 kilo-bytes, which is preferably of the EPROM type,i.e. which is electrically erasable and re-programmable so that theprogram commanding operations can easily be updated. The controllerobviously features a real time clock 78 mandatory for allowingchronotherapy i.e. program the infusions (in particular the substanceflow and its evolution) relative to absolute time, and not topredetermined time intervals relative to the system power-on. RAM 74,ROM 76 and real time clock 78 are addressed by microprocessor 60 thru a16-bit address bus 80, and data exchange between those three entities isdone thru an 8-bit data bus 82.

An alarm system or `beep` 84 can be connected to microprocessor 60 so asto emit a sound at any interrupt or failure of the system when there isan ongoing infusion.

Each one of the two pump-units 62 or 64 is connected to themicroprocessor 60 via a command circuit 86 or 88 with associatedwatchdog, which transforms instructions of the controller 60 intoelectrical command signals, and an amplifier 90 or 92. Each one of themotors 94 (M1) or 96 (M2) features a magnetic encoder 98 or 100transmitting to microprocessor 60 synchronizing signal for speedregulation purposes.

The part of the infusion tube which is inside the pump-unit is equippedwith a pressure sensor 102 or 104 in charge of inputting tomicroprocessor 60 the measuring of pressure within the portion of theinfusion tube under pressure from the pump, after rectifying the signalthru the circuit 106 or 108 and conversion from analog to digital withthe converter (ADC) 110 or 112.

The latter portion of the infusion tube which is inside the pump-unit isalso equipped with an air bubble detector 114 or 116 being able tosignal to the controller in case air bubbles have entered the infusiontube.

Finally, each pump-unit 62 or 64 features means for detecting thepresence of a cassette or pump-unit 118 or 120 and automatically signalthe microprocessor 60 in case of pump-unit connection to the controlleror cassette installation.

Such a system of portable infusion pump system has numerous advantagesover prior art technique. The controller can thus be programmed forchronotherapy, as seen above. This possibility allows to adapt theinfusion to the patient's biological pace. Also the controller has amemory (RAM) where data about the patient are stored. One can thusprogram the therapeutic protocol taking into account certain controlparameter values not to be exceeded during the infusion. It is alsopossible to connect the controller to sensors placed in or on thepatient's body and which transmit to the controller physiological dataallowing said controller to program the infusion parameters according tothe received physiological data. The memory also allows storing alldata, being results or incidents if any during the infusion, and thusknowing the history of the performed therapy.

The various procedures allowed with the system according to theinvention are now going to be described with respect to FIGS. 6 to 9.

As illustrated FIG. 6, after power-on (200), a menu is presented to theuser for various possible procedures displayed on the screen 18 of thecontroller: DATE AND TIME (202), CONFIGURATION (204), START (206) andPROGRAM (208).

Procedure DATE AND TIME, although mandatory since it allows real timeprogramming of the controller, is of no interest and will not bedescribed in details.

One of the essential characteristics of the portable programmableinfusion pump system according to the invention is to be programmable bya doctor or other specialist when the system is on a patient, but alsoto facilitate its usage by the medical personnel. It is thus arranged toconfigure the system in a particular functioning mode prior to anyprogramming. User interface is therefore greatly simplified and using ofthe system is much more userfriendly.

Procedure CONFIGURATION is thus chosen using a cursor moved on thescreen with keys of the keyboard. The screen then displays `access code`(210) to prompt the user to input its access code. If an incorrectaccess code is input, the user is directed (212) to menu 1 and names ofthe accessible procedures are once more displayed. If the access code iscorrect, choice is given to input the configuration either thru thekeyboard (214) or the bar code reader (216). After that, the screendisplays all possible modes: CONTINUOUS MODE (218), PCA (222) and others(224). PCA mode (Patient Control Analgesia) is a pain relief modeperformed with morphine or other analgesic substance.

Finally, after data corresponding to a specific configuration mode areinput, the system returns to menu 1 (226).

Once the system is configured in one mode, the application will promptonly the latter configuration mode until another configuration is inputin the system. The advantage of this procedure is that it allowsmodifying when needed a whole group of systems. Subsequent programmingoperations are reduced to a minimum which greatly improves usage.

After system configuration, the pump can be programmed for an infusionas illustrated FIG. 7.

When the PROGRAM procedure has been chosen (208) in menu 1, the screenprompts for the access code (228). If an incorrect access code is input,decision (230) is taken to return to menu 1. If the correct access codeis input, the controller displays the various infusion parameters to beinput thru keyboard (232). After the infusion parameters have beeninput, a menu is proposed to the user with START of the infusion (234),STANDBY (236), OTHERS (238) and protection (240). Those functions willbe explained in further detailed below.

When programming is over, return is made (242) to menu 1 as previously.

FIG. 8 illustrates the procedure for starting (206) an infusion. Aftertriggering the beginning of the infusion (244), it is proceeded with thedraining (246) of any air from the infusion tube. Then infusion isperformed (248) with possible display of infusion data on the controllerscreen. Infusion is ended by an indication of the end (250) displayed onthe screen.

When the system features two pump-units as is the case in the preferredembodiment of the invention, pressing a specific key of the keyboardallows accessing the resources of the second pump-unit. The secondinfusion pump can then be configured, programmed, the infusion can bestarted, all independently of the first pump.

Simultaneous functioning of the two pump-units is illustrated in FIG. 9.Supposing there is an ongoing infusion (252) on unit 1 or firstpump-unit, infusion parameters of unit 1 are accessible (254). Pressingthe `screen` key then allows accessing unit 2 or second pump-unit, andthus parameters of unit 2. Several procedures may then be activated(260) with respect to unit 2, such as configuration, programming,start-up or parameters display (262). Another pressing of the `screen`key (264) then allows accessing back to unit 1 parameters. Whenaccessing unit 2, infusion with unit 1 would proceed normally. One willappreciate that the system thus behaves as two independent infusion pumpsystems sharing common resources (controller, its keyboard and itsscreen).

It is to be noted that accessing the other unit is not authorized when afirst unit has entered certain procedures such as configuration,programming or air draining.

An example of procedure is given in FIGS. 10a-10d. The illustratedexample is with programming procedure, but the other procedures that thecontroller according to the invention can activate follow the samepattern.

At the beginning, powered-on controller shows like what is illustratedin FIG. 10a, i.e. the four possible procedures are displayed on thescreen: START, CONFIGURATION, DATE AND TIME and PROGRAM. Using the topkey (key `2`) of the keyboard, or the bottom key (key `0`), it ispossible to choose one of the displayed procedures. Supposing thePROGRAM procedure is chosen, this choice gets validated by pressing thekey `VAL` on the keyboard. The latter validation triggers a displayscreen as seen FIG. 10b where the fourth line becomes CODE. Access code,here 56, is input at the keyboard and validated by the key `VAL`.

Infusion parameters then appear on the screen: `Intensity`,`Capacity``Duration``KVO` in front of which the doctor or specialistinputs the necessary quantities. Thus, as seen in FIG. 10c, intensity isset to 50 ml/h, capacity is set to 300 ml, duration to 3 hours. KVO(Keep Vein Open) set to 1.5 ml/h means that when there is no actualinfusion, for example in the INTERMITTENT configuration mode a minimumflow of 1.5 ml/h is kept in the infusion tube.

After validation of the infusion parameters, a choice is made betweenfour alternatives, as seen FIG. 10d. They are START to start-up theinfusion, STANDBY which puts the pump in standby, PROTECTION or OTHERS.The choice PROTECTION No corresponds to different levels at which thepatient is authorized to perform certain operations by himself. Thuslevel 0 could be when the patient cannot perform any operation, thelevel 1 when he can change the cassette by himself, etc . . . .

As seen in FIGS. 10a to 10d, certain keys of the keyboard are reservedand specialized. Thus the key `screen` performs as switch to displayinfusion parameters of unit 2 when the system is previously displayingparameters of unit 1. The key `DRAIN` allows the draining of any airfrom the infusion tube. The key METER is used directly by the patient inthe PCA mode to perform regular injection of analgesic substance. It isobvious that other functions may be associated with these keys, or thatother keys can be associated with specific functions not represented onFIGS. 10a-10d.

Although in the preferred embodiment of the invention, command of thepump-unit motor is ensured thru physical connections, it is possible toconceive a remote control. In the latter case, the controller willfeature a signal emitter and the pump-unit a receiver but also a batteryfor providing the motor with power that it does not receive anymore fromthe controller due to the lack of physical connection.

What is claimed is:
 1. A programmable and portable infusion pump systemfor injecting a medicinal substance into the body of a patient inaccordance with a first predetermined infusion process, the systemcomprising;a programmable controller having a microprocessor, akeyboard, a screen adapted to display the first predetermined infusionprocess, and means connecting said keyboard to said microprocessor toenable programming of said microprocessor in accordance with thedisplayed first predetermined infusion process, a first medicinalsubstance injection unit, means detachably mounting said first injectionunit to said controller, said first injection unit having a first supplychamber within adapted to contain a first medicinal substance, a firstmotor, and a first pump connected to be driven by said first motor, afirst infusion tube connected to said first supply chamber and adaptedto be connected to the body of the patient, means within said firstinjection unit connecting said first pump to said first infusion tubefor injecting the first medicinal substance from said first supplychamber into said first infusion tube, and means connecting said firstmotor to be controlled by said microprocessor in accordance with thefirst predetermined infusion process.
 2. The system of claim 1,including a second infusion unit detachably connected to said controllerfor injecting a second medicinal substance into the body of a patient inaccordance with a second predetermined infusion process, said screendisplaying the second predetermined infusion process, and said keyboardenable programming of said microprocessor in accordance with the secondpredetermined infusion process, said second infusion unit having;asecond supply chamber adapted to contain a second medicinal substance, asecond motor, a second pump connected to be driven by said second motor,a second infusion tube connected to said second supply chamber andadapted to be connected to the body of the patient, means connectingsaid second pump to said second infusion tube for injecting the secondmedicinal substance from said second supply chamber into said secondinfusion tube, and said means connecting said second motor to becontrolled by said microprocessor in accordance with the secondpredetermined infusion process.
 3. The system of claim 2 including;afirst and a second elongated cable electrically connecting said firstand second infusion units to said controller to provide said control ofsaid first and second motors by said microprocessor when said first andsecond infusion units are detached from said controller.
 4. The systemof claim 1 including memory means in said controller, said memory meansoperating to store a history of the injecting of the first medicinalsubstance into the body of a patient in accordance with the firstpredetermined infusion process.
 5. The system of claim 2 includingmemory means in said controller, said memory means operating to store ahistory of the injecting of the first and second medicinal substancesinto the body of a patient in accordance with the first and secondpredetermined infusion processes.
 6. The system of claim 1 including;afirst pressure sensor in said first infusion tube, and means connectingsaid first pressure sensor to said controller.
 7. The system of claim 2including;a first and a second pressure sensor in said first and secondinfusion tubes, and means connecting said first and second pressuresensors to said controller.
 8. The system of claim 1 including;aplurality of physiological sensors adapted to be associated with thepatient, and means connecting said sensors to said controller toadditionally control said first motor.
 9. The system of claim 2including;a plurality of physiological sensors adapted to be associatedwith the patient, and means connecting said sensors to said controllerto additionally control said first and second motors.
 10. The system ofclaim 1 including;a bar code reading system connected to said controllerto enable said controller to be programmed using an optical pen.
 11. Thesystem of claim 2 including;a bar code reading system connected to saidcontroller to enable said controller to be programmed using an opticalpen.
 12. The system of claim 1 including;an electronic card readingsystem connected to said controller to enable said controller to beprogrammed using an electronic card.
 13. The system of claim 2including;an electronic card reading system connected to said controllerto enable said controller to be programmed using an electronic card. 14.The system of claim 1 including;a modem connected to said controller toenable said controller to be programmed by connection to a telephonenetwork.
 15. The system of claim 2 including;a modem connected to saidcontroller to enable said controller to be programmed by connection to atelephone network.
 16. The system of claim 1 wherein said first supplychamber is disposable, and including;a removable elastic clippingmechanism connecting said first supply chamber to said first pump. 17.The system of claim 2 wherein said first and second supply chambers aredisposable, and including;first and second removable elastic clippingmechanisms connecting said first and second supply chambers to saidfirst and second pumps.
 18. The system of claim 1 including;memory meansin said controller storing patient information relative to an infusion,and means including said memory means for modifying control of saidfirst motor.
 19. A method enabling an individual to administer a firstmedicinal substance to the body of the individual in an unsupervisedmanner, comprising the steps of;providing visual means displaying firstmicroprocessor programming parameters that define a first predeterminedinfusion process by which the first medicinal substance may beadministered to the individual, providing a programmable controller unithaving a microprocessor and a keyboard by which the individual maymanually program said microprocessor in accordance with said firstmicroprocessor programming parameters, providing a first medicinalsubstance injection unit that is detachably connected to said controllerunit by means of an elongated electrical cable, providing a first supplychamber within said first injection unit adapted to contain a the firstmedicinal substance, providing a first motor within said first injectionunit, providing a first pump within said first injection unit connectedto be driven by said first motor, providing a first infusion tube havinga first end connected to said first supply chamber and having a secondend adapted to be connected to the body of the individual, connectingsaid first pump to said first infusion tube for injecting the firstmedicinal substance from said first supply chamber into said firstinfusion tube, and providing means including said cable connecting saidfirst motor to be controlled by said microprocessor in accordance withthe first microprocessor programming parameters, displaying secondmicroprocessor programming parameters at said visual means that define asecond predetermined infusion process for the second medicinal substanceto the individual, manually programming said microprocessor inaccordance with said second microprocessor programming parameters,providing a second medicinal substance injection unit that is detachablyconnected to said controller unit by means of a second elongatedelectrical cable, providing a second supply chamber within said secondinjection unit adapted to contain the second medicinal substance,providing a second motor within said second injection unit, providing asecond pump within said second injection unit connected to be driven bysaid second motor, providing a second infusion tube having a first endconnected to said second supply chamber and having a second end adaptedto be connected to the body of the individual, connecting said secondpump to said second infusion tube for injecting the second medicinalsubstance from said second supply chamber into said second infusiontube, and providing means including said second cable connecting saidsecond motor to be controlled by said microprocessor in accordance withthe second microprocessor programming parameters.
 20. The method ofclaim 19 including the step of;providing said first supply chamber as adisposable supply chamber.
 21. The method of claim 19 including the stepof;providing said second supply chamber as a disposable supply chamber.22. The method of claim 19 including the step of;providing meansenabling programming of said microprocessor in accordance with saidfirst microprocessor programming parameters by the use of a meansselected from the group bar code reader, card reader, modem, andpersonal computer.
 23. The method of claim 19 including the stepof;providing means enabling programming of said microprocessor inaccordance with said first and second microprocessor programmingparameters by the use of a means selected from the group bar codereader, card reader, modem, and personal computer.
 24. The method ofclaim 19 including the step of;providing a real time clock within saidmicroprocessor.
 25. The method of claim 24 including the stepof;providing a pressure sensor within said first infusion tube andconnected to said microprocessor.
 26. The method of claim 25 includingthe step of;providing an air bubble detector within said first infusiontube and connected to said microprocessor.
 27. The method of claim 19including the step of;providing an access code enabling use of saidkeyboard by the individual to obtain access to said microprocessor priorto the individual programming said microprocessor in accordance withsaid first microprocessor programming parameters.